Monday, November 17, 2008

American football

American football is a unique game.

I can think of no other game in which players necessarily alternate between strategy and tactics at such a regular pace. Gameplay is equally balanced between action and turn-taking. Each turn begins with the two teams selecting competing strategies. That's not unique, but the need to then execute those strategies and tactically adapt is. Each turn element, strategy and tactics, occurs in only seconds.

I've played nearly all American sports in my lifetime. Other games, like basketball and soccer, have playbooks of sorts. But particular strategies come into play far less often in those sports. General strategies dominate. Only football relies so heavily on the playbook and so regularly alternates between strategy and tactics.

I'm pointing this out to show an opportunity for game designers. How might this style of gameplay be made into a new game?